The revetment and drain located alongside the dwelling was a multifunctional timber structure, and included an open drainage ditch which emptied into the channel. These were were later reworked adding height and including a large, oak board sluice with a radical cleft The first phase of garderobe construction was comprised of timber stakes and boards leading up to the building and possibly into its northeast corner, as evidenced by a surviving stake. A small channel was cut extending from the structure and connected to the larger watercourse or ditch. The egress of the drainage ditch was supported with large timber beams measuring 2.94m by 0.1m. A gap was placed between these timber beams to allow a controlled flow of waste to run down through the ditch between the timber stakes and boards of the revetment and out into the channel. Subsequent re-workings of the garderobe timbers were likely constructed to combat the silting of the both the drainage ditch and the channel around the structure. The drainage ditch was infilled, the original space cut between the timber beams was sealed by thick timber planks and a large, curved oak sluice was placed on top, resting horizontally to allow the flow of material into the open channel. A paved, flagstone area
was also laid down around the oak board/sluice, possibly as a walkway rather than any kind of building foundation. Dendrochronological dating gives a high percent chance (95%) of the timer dating from between 1261-1283AD. This date correlates exceedingly well with the historical records, suggesting the garderobe and revetment were built prior to storms of the late 13th century. Stratigraphic evidence supports the dendrochronological and historical dating and shows the timbers buried by these deposits (including debris) from the damaged structure in the later 13th century. (1) (information summarised from source)

<1> RPS, 2022, Archaeological Post Excavation assessement and Updated Project Design for Land at Ashford Road, New Romney, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE55293.